Assessment
Combined autism & ADHD assessment
Both assessments carried out as one piece of work, so overlapping traits are weighed against each other rather than judged twice, months apart, by two separate services.
When a combined assessment makes sense
- Traits of both appear in the same child
- A single-condition assessment has left questions unanswered
- Focus difficulties sit alongside social difficulties
- Sensory sensitivity plus impulsivity and restlessness
- School and home describe two very different children
- A previous diagnosis explains only part of the picture
- Emotional regulation is the biggest daily struggle
- You'd rather not repeat the whole process twice
None of these on their own mean a diagnosis. Assessment is about understanding the whole picture of your child across home, school and social life.
Why assess them together
Autism and ADHD frequently co-occur, and several traits look similar from the outside. Inattention can be distraction, or it can be a child processing an overwhelming sensory environment. Difficulty in a group can be impulsivity, or it can be social communication.
Assessing in sequence risks the first diagnosis absorbing everything the second would have explained. Looking at both at once produces a clearer, more honest formulation - and a plan that reflects the whole child.
What it involves
The combined assessment draws on both NICE pathways - CG128 for autism and NG87 for ADHD. In practice this means a fuller developmental history, rating scales for both conditions, structured information from school and unhurried observation in clinic.
The outcome may be both diagnoses, one, or neither. Whatever the conclusion, you receive an explanation of the reasoning, not just a label.
Support afterwards
Where the picture includes ADHD and medication is appropriate, we can prescribe, titrate and review. Where autism is part of the picture, the report sets out the adjustments and strategies that make home and school work better.
How the assessment works
- 01
Get in touch
Send a short enquiry describing your concerns. We'll tell you which type of appointment fits, or say honestly if we're not the right service.
- 02
Pre-assessment information
We gather developmental history, school observations and standardised questionnaires before you come in, so clinic time is spent with your child.
- 03
Clinic appointment
An unhurried consultation at our Leamington Spa clinic with direct observation and time for both you and your child to be heard.
- 04
Diagnosis explained
Findings are explained in plain language on the day - what they mean, what they don't, and what happens next.
- 05
Written report
A full report you can share with school, your GP and the NHS, written to NICE standards.
- 06
Ongoing management
Where treatment or medication is appropriate, we review, titrate and support rather than discharge you at diagnosis.
Common questions
Is a combined assessment more expensive than one alone?
It costs more than a single assessment but considerably less than commissioning two separately. Current fees are published on our fees page.
What if only one diagnosis applies?
That is a perfectly normal outcome. You still get a full explanation of why the other was ruled out, which is valuable information in itself.
My child already has one diagnosis - can you assess for the other?
Yes. Tell us what has already been done and share any previous reports when you enquire, and we will advise on the most useful next step.
Will this be accepted by school and the NHS?
The report follows NICE guidelines CG128 and NG87, the same standards the NHS works to, and should be accepted on that basis.
Other services
ADHD assessment
A full NICE-standard diagnostic assessment for attention, focus, impulsivity and hyperactivity, with a written report and a clear management plan.
Autism assessment
A structured autism (ASD) diagnostic assessment drawing on school information, developmental history and direct observation of your child.
Anxiety & mental health
Assessment and ongoing management of anxiety, low mood and emotional wellbeing in children and young people.
Talk to us about your child
Tell us a little about your concerns and we'll advise on the right type of appointment - there's no obligation to book.
ADHD assessments, autism assessments and combined ASD/ADHD assessments are all currently bookable.
- Phone
- 01926 624 235